It varies (like salaries) from location to location. Granted, the majority of Forensic Nurses are RNs, but the LPN can also practice as a Forensic Nurse. You would need to check your local law enforcement agencies, Coroner, hospital etc. And, LPNs working in Corrections and in Psychiatric facilities are considered Forensic Nurses.

Check out UCR's approximately year-long online program for Forensic education for the LPN.

Forensic Nurses Week is organized by the educative Nursing association, International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Forensic Nurses are all-important individuals who, along with their love of the Law blended with their love for Nursing, can help those who have been neglected, abused, sexually assaulted and/or are the victim of any crime of violence, including intentional/unintentional death. These Nurses are beneficial in communicating with Law Enforcement agencies and have been instrumental in helping to prosecute violent offenders as well as create anti-violent crime units in many cities across the United States, Australia, the UK, and Canada.

Forensic Nursing is a specialty recognized by the American Nurses Association. Several years ago, this writer submitted an Article that pointed out how the role of the Forensic Nurse was still in its infancy; although there are many who enter into this field of Nursing, this is still true today. We still need to raise awareness.

Many individuals ask who can become a Forensic Nurse and do they have to have a Masters degree in Nursing. Any licensed Nurse, Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), can become a Forensic Nurse. There are certificate programs available and many individuals are post-graduate prepared (Masters, PhD), although a post-graduate degree is not required to practice Forensic Nursing.

Nurses interested in the Forensic Nursing sub-specialty should thoroughly research the educative pathways that best suit their needs ... degree or certificate course. Also, while researching, the individual must check their individual State Board of Nursing for any additional requirements including continuing education, initial certification and re-certification. Included in this research should be a self-examination of what drives their interest and/or reason to pursue Forensic Nursing. Some Nurses may be drawn to this field because they have a strong empathetic desire to help a traumatized victim. Although an admirable reason, Nurses must be aware of the potential problematic emotional effects of working long-term with trauma victims.

Most educative entities contain in their focus of study (not all inclusive):

Perpetrator theory

Victimology

Criminology

Forensic law

Criminal justice

Preservation of evidence

DNA lab interpretation

Elder/Child abuse

Domestic violence

Human trafficking

Salary
Salary expectations vary from one location to another. This writer has seen yearly salaries ranging from mid-$50,000 to over $100,000. indeed.com states as of November 8, 2016, the average salary equaled $54,000 with sexual assault nurse examiners earning an average of $69,000 (indeed.com). It should be noted that Forensic Nurses earn a higher salary in private hospitals located in major cities (American Forensic Nurses).

Joseph Biden, 47th Vice President of the United Sates, recognized the importance of the Forensic Nurse when he stated the following:

"Forensic Nurses play an integral role in bridging the gap between law and medicine. They should be in each and every emergency room" - Joseph Biden, Vice President, United States from Forensic Nursing: a Handbook for Practice